Capping machine



Sept. 24, 1929. A. PODEL CAPPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR flra/zam Pozlal MATTORNEY Sept. 24, 1929. A.PODE; 1,729,454

CAPPING MACHINE Filed Oct. '16, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQIR Q Z. v

Arafiam Fade! Sept. 24, 1929. A. PODEL 1,729,454

CAPPING MACHINE Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT orFIcEABRAHAM PODEL, LONG- ISLAND CITY,'NEW YORK, ASSIGN OR TO ANCHOR GAP ANII CLOSURE CORPORATION OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OFNEW YORK CAPPING MACHINE Application filed October 16, 1924. Serial No.743,870.

The present invention relates to capping machines and more particularlyto machines adapted to apply caps to a group of containers.

' An object of the present invention is to provide a machine more simpleinoperation and less expensive in construction than automatic cappingmachines, and at the-same time, to provide a machine which will applycaps to containers at a very high rate.

Another object is to provide a. machine to which containers may besupplied manually in groups and which is adapted to-apply capssimultaneously to a number of containers to increase the rate of cappingand facilitate the feeding of containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap pressing memberhaving a plurality of pressing heads yieldably held in position toengage individual containers and 'to apply caps thereto; to providetrays adapted to slide in guide ways on a table under the pressingmember and maintain a group of containers correctly positioned for theoperation of the pressing member; and if desired, to maintain anothergroup of containers in readiness to be placed in capping position. a

A further" object is the provision of supporting means for said pressingmember comprising a pair of toggle-joints pivotally connected to a shaftso that the rotation of the shaft operates the toggle-joints to raiseand lower the pressing member; and the adjustment of their relativepositions so that max mum pressure is applied to the caps when thetoggle-joint is near its straight position; thereby minimizing the powerrequired to operate the machine.

Another and further object of the invention is the provision of apressure applying mechanism suspended by a pair of toggle-jointsattached to the respective ends of said mechanism, with the togglejoints bein eccentri cally connected to a rotatingsha t to-raise andlower said pressure applying mechanism,

bent position.

and with said eccentric connections and said toggle-joints beingadjusted so that the maximum pressure will be applied to said mechanismwhen said connections and said togglejoints are substantially instraight positions.

Further objects contemplate a rigid construction comprising a table anda framework for supporting the various mechanisms formed of a minimumnumber of parts which may be readily obtained from available sources; toprovide adjustments to render the machine applicable to various types ofcontainers and to regulate the pressure applied to the caps; and toprovide means for supplying the cap applying mechanism without cuttingoff the power supplied to the machine.

Other and further objects of the present invention will in part beobvious and will in part be pointed out hereinafter in the specificationfollowing by reference to the accompanying drawings in which likecharacters refer to like parts throughout.

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the capping machine with certainportions shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine with certain parts broken away toclarify the draw- Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the line 33 in Fig. 1,showing the toggle mechanism in Fig. 4 is. a cross-sectional View alongthe line4-4 of Fig.1, showing details of the mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view with certain portions in elevationshowing the interior of the pressing member and the trays adapted toposition the containers.

Various ways have been utilized heretofore for the application of capsto containers. Generally speaking, the caps havebeen applied either byhand, or by automatic machines re uirin conveyors and various otherassociate mec anisms. Hand methods are slow and expensive',sincelabo1fis high and.

since an individual can apply only a limited number of caps a day.Furthermore, as he grows tired of such uninteresting work, he becomescareless and fails effectively to apply the caps to the containers.Automatic machines eliminatesome of these difliculties and usuallycomprise a continuous conveyor which moves containers to a cappingstation at which they are stopped and the caps applied, "and from whichthey are moved by a second conveyor. The stopping and starting of thefilled containers frequently slops their contents over the sides of thevessels and necessitates'the vessels being washed before the labels areapplied. In addition to this disadvantage, these machines are extremelyexpensive and require a great amount of space for their'properoperation; Small manufacturers frequently do not have the spacenecessary and cannot afford to make the investment required to properlyinstall'such machinesi I The present invention eliminates thedifliculties of the" prior art by providing trays adapted to hold adozen or more containers, supplying these trays to a capping machinewhich applies caps to a group of containers simultaneously. A secondtray may push the first one out of the way while the former is beingplaced under the pressing head. The result is that the'pressingmachinewhich is simple in construction and inexpensive in manufacturecan cap groups of vessels consecutively as quickly as an operator canplace trays ho ding containers under the pressing member. I Inasmuch asthe containers re main on the trays-during the filling, capping andsealing operation, the output of the machine is limited only by theability of the operator to handle the trays, and the speed of cappingmay approach or exceed that of an automotive capping machine.

The cost of the machine is further reduced by the provision oftoggle-joints for supporting the pressing member and the furtherprovision of eccentric connections at right angles to those supportingthe pressing member to operate the same, thereby utilizing the doubleeflect of the toggle-joints and eccentric connections to minimizethepower required to exert a maximum pressure on the containers duringthe capping operation. This de-- creases both'the size of the parts andthe cost of the machine. Suitable means are provided for rendering themotive force efiective or ineffective upon the pressing mechanisms tokeep the machine under complete control of the operator.

Referring to the drawings, there is pro vided a table 1 having legs 2securely held in position by bolts 4 extending transversely thereof. Thetable legs 2 are flanged at their lower ends as shown at 5 to form aflat surface at their upper ends as shown at 6 to receive a slab 7 whichforms the top of the table.

Mounted on the slab 7 is a pair of channel members 8 and 9 flanged attheir upper and lower ends to fit upon the table and to accommodate abracing member 10 which fits across their upper ends. Suitable bolts 11preferably four in number, pass through the bracing member 10, theflanges at the u per and lower ends of the upright members 8 and 9, andthe slab 7 of the table 1 to hold the framework rigidlyon the table. Theupright members 8 and 9 have channels facing outwardly and have on theirinner flat portions a pair of guideways 12 and 14 adapted to receiverunners 15 and 16. i

A pressing member 17,'which Will be de scribed in detail hereinafter, isattached to the runners 15 and '16 and adapted to slide vertically inthe guideways 12 and 14. A pair of toggle-joints 18 and 19, pivotallysecured to the bracing member 10, are secured at their lower ends topins 20 fitting across slots 21 in the ends of the pressing member 17,as

shown in Figure 3. Each toggle-joint comprises an upper link 22 attachedto a lower link 23 by a' pin 24. The link 23 is broken in its centerwith the ends threaded at 25 and 26 to fit into the sleeve 27, havingapertures 28 arranged to receive a spanner Wrench for adjusting thelength of the toggle-joint to determine the extreme positions of thepressing member 17. A look nut 29 is threaded on the member 25 to lockthe sleeve 27 in position and prevent thevibrations of the machine fromchanging the desired adjustment.

Attached also to the pin 24 is an arm 30 pivotally and eccentricallymounted on the shaft 31, by a bolt 32 and sleeve 34. The arms 30eccentrically mounted on the shaft 31-form in elfect a second pair oftogglejoints acting at right angles to, and adapted to operate thetoggle-joints 18 and 19. This construction permits a compound toggleeffect to raise and lower the presslng member 17 upon rotation of theshaft 31.

An electric motor 35 is operatively connected to the shaft 31 throughgear 36, on

motor shaft 37, gears 38 and 39, on shaft 40,

and gear 41 on shaft 31. The gear 41 is I loosely mounted on shaft '31and is adapted to be rigidly connected thereto by a clutch 42, of anysuitable type. Preferably, the clutch comprises a sleeve 44 keyed toshaft 31 at 45 and having a slot 46 with a pin 47 therein. I A spring 48presses the pin 47 toward the gear 41 to cause it to engage the slot 49and to connect the gear 41 to sleeve 44. A collar 50 bolted to thesleeve 44 retains the pin.47

in position. For the purpose of disengaging i the clutch, a member 51,having a cam surface at its .end adapted to engage a slot 52 in pin 47,is adapted to fit in the annular runway 54, whereby the member 51, whenin its '65 for. engagement with the floor and are flanged lowerposition, engages the pin 47 as the shaft 31 is rotated and presses thepin to its outward position as-shown-in Fig. 1. The member 51 fits in asuitable bearing 55 in bracing member 10 and is connected by the links56, 57, 58 and 59 to the handle 60. Accordingly, when the handle ismoved downwardly about its pivot 61, the link 57 through its pivot 62,pulls the member 51 out of engagement with the pin 47 and when the gear41 has rotated sufficiently, it engages in the slot 49 thereof toconnect it rigidly with shaft 31 to operate the machine.

The pressing member 17 comprises a block 64 with extensions 65 at itsends. A series of cylindrical apertures 66, preferably 12 in number, areformed in the block to accommodate cylindrical cups 67 having slots 68near their lower ends. A cover 69 is secured to the block 64 by bolts 70and fits over and closes the upper ends of the cylindrical apertures.Suitable bolts 71 extend through the cover 69 and are threaded into thecups 67 to retain them in position. Stems 74 of the pressing heads 75extend into the cups 67 and are retained in position against the springs72 by pins 76 fitting in slots 68 and limiting the outward movement ofthe stems. The

pressing heads 75 are of suitable size to fit over the caps 77 ofcontainers 78; their engaging surfaces are formed preferably by a layerof rubber or other suitable soft material 79 faced with fabric 80secured to the pressing heads by cement or in any other suitable manner.

; For the proper handlin of containers, a tray 80 is provided and aapted preferably to seat twenty-four containers and having recesses 81in its bottom to maintain the containers in position. A pair. ofguideways 82 fit into cooperating grooves 84 in the table to determinethe lateral position of the trays.

In the operation of the machine, electric power is applied to the motor34 which in turn drives the gear 41, loosely mounted on shaft 31,through gear 36 on the motor shaft and gears 38 and 39 on shaft 40. Theclutch 42 controlled by handle 60 is adapted to connect gear 41 rigidlyto haft 31 which reciprocates the arm 30, eccentricallymounted on shaft31 and also pivotally connected to pin 24, and through this memberoperates togglejoints 18 and 19 to raise and lower the pressthe trayuntil the first twelve containers are a 0 under the pressing heads 75.The member 17, in its vertical movement, causes the heads 75 to engagethe caps and apply them to the vessels. The operator has ample timewhile the pressing member is being raised to adjust 5 the other twelvecontainers under the pressing hands; or if he desires he may stop thepressing mechanism by moving handle 60 to operate clutch 42. A secondtray filled with containers is then placed in front of the first trayand in being placed under the pressing member 17 pushes forward thefirst tray so that it can be removed by another operator, or if themachine is being operated by a single person, the motor may be timed sothat the rays may be removed and replaced by the operator during theupward movement of the pressing member 17. The pressure applied to therespective caps 77 is controlled by the len th of the toggle arms 18 and19 and can e adjusted by rotation of the sleeves 27.

It will be noted, therefore, that there is provided in thisinvention astructure of simple and inexpensive construction, requiring but littlespace and adapted to be operated by a single person to apply capsquickly to containers. The necessity of automatic machines for smallmanufacturers is eliminated and the cost of capping is greatly reduced.As various changes may be made in the embodiment above set forth,without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is understoodthat all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not inthe limiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined in thefollowing claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination of a suitable framework, a pressingmember adapted'to apply covers to a group of containers simultaneously,a pair of toggle-joints attached to the framework and adapted to supportsaid pressing memher, a shaft mounted on the framework having a crank atthe respective ends thereof, and a pair of rods connecting said crank tosaid toggle-joints to move said pressing member in an upward anddownward direction to apply the caps to the containers, threadedadjusting sleeves on each of said toggle-joints for changing the lengththereof to control the extent of vertical travel.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table, apair of upright members flanged at their respective ends, and mounted onsaid table, a bracing member fitting on the upper'ends of said members,bolts passing through said table, said bracing memously, a. pair oftoggle-joints pivotally secured to said bracing member and said pressingmember to support said pressing mem her, and a source of power mountedon sald bracing member and operatively connecped i to said toggle-jointsto operate said pressing member by bending said toggle-joints.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination. of a table, apair of upright channel members flanged at their respective ends andmounted on said table, a bracing member fitting on the upper ends ofsaid channel members, bolts passing through said table, said bracingmember, and the flanges on said upright members to form a framework onsaid table, a pressing member adapted to press a plurality of caps on agroup of containers simultaneously, a shaft connected to said pressingmember to operate same, and a source of power mounted on said bracingmember for driving said shaft con- ;ginuously for operating saidpressing mem- 4. In a machine of the class described, the combination ofa table, a pair of upright channel members flanged at their respectiveends and mounted on said table, a bracing member fitting on the upperends of said channel members, bolts passing through said table, saidbracing member, and the flanges on said channel members to form aframework on said table, a pressing member adapted to press caps oncontainers, a shaft mounted in said framework, devices pivotallyconnected to said shaft, a pair of togglejoints supporting said pressingmember from said bracing member and connected to said devices, adjustingmeans on said togglejoints to control the pressure applied to said caps,and mechanism for driving said shaft continuously.

5. In a machine of the class described, a pressing member comprising ablock having a plurality of apertures formed therein, a cover on saidblock adapted to close one end of said apertures, and pressing headshaving stems adapted to fit in said apertures.

6. In a machine of the class described, a pressing member comprising ablock having a plurality of rows of apertures formed therein said rowsextending longitudinally and transversely thereof, a cover on said blockadapted to close one end of said apertures,.

pressing heads having stems adapted to fit in said apertures, resilientmeans in said apertures to press said stems outwardly, and means tolimit the outward movement of said pressing heads.

7. In a machine of the class described, a pressing member comprising ablock having a plurality of apertures formed therein, cups rigidlysecured in said apertures, pressing heads adapted to apply caps tocontainers and having stems fitting in said cups, resilient means insaid cups to press said stems out wardly, and means to limit the outwardmovement of said pressing heads.

8. In a machine of the class described, a

I pressing member comprising means having a plurality of aperturesformed therein, cups fitting in said apertures having slots therein, acover on said block rigidly secured thereto, pressing heads adapted toapply caps on containers and having stems fitting in said cups,resilient means insaid cups to press said stems outwardly, and meansfitting into said slots to limit the outward movement of said pressingheads.

9. In a machine of the class described, a pressing member comprising ablock having a plurality of apertures formed therein, cups fitting insaid apertures, and having slots in the sides thereof, a cover on saidblock rigidly secured thereto and to said cups, pressing heads adaptedto apply caps on containers and having stems fitting in said cups,resilient means in said cups to press said stems outwardly, and pinsextending through said stem and into the slots in said cups to limit theoutward movement of said pressing heads.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a suitableframework, a block having a plurality of apertures therein, pressingheads having stems adapted to fit in said apertures, resilient means insand apertures to press said stems outwardly, a pair of guideways insaid framework adapted to engage to press said stems outwardly, a pairof guide- I ways in said framework adapted to engage the ends of saidblock, a pair of toggle-joints adapted to suspend said block from saidframework, a shaft on said framework having a pair of cranks thereonattached to said toggle-joints, and a source of power for driving saidshaft to raise and lower said block for a l in ca s to roups ofcontainers. P5271111 ni achin e of the class described, the combinationof a table adapted to receive a tray of containers, a pair of verticalmembers mounted on said table; a horizontal bracing member joining theupper ends of the vertical members, a block having a plurality ofapertures therein, pressing ,heads having stems adapted to fit in saidapertures, a pair of guideways in said vertical members adapted toaccommodate the ends of said block, a pair of toggle-j oints adapted tosuspend said block from said bracing member, means for raising andlowering said block, by bending and straightening said toggle-joints toapply caps to said containers, and means for adj usting the length ofsaid toggleoints to accommodate vessels of different heights.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a suitableframework, a pressing member to engage and press covers on a pluralityof containers simultaneously, supporting means for said membercomprising a pair of toggle members attached to said framework and toopposite sides of said pressing member, said toggle members comprisingtwo parts with adjustment sleeves joinlng the ends of the parts tolengthen and shorten said toggle members to regulate the pressureapplied to said containers, and devices for operating said pressingmember by bending and straightening said toggle members.

' ABRAHAM PODEL.-

